BRISTOL, R.I. — Roger Williams University and the state Department of Health have begun a new partnership that will train student “public health scholars” and establish other programs intended to educate young people and help improve the health of all Rhode Islanders.

The partnership was confirmed with a memorandum of understanding signed by state public health director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and Donald J. Farish, president of Roger Williams. It comes as the university is set to open its own academic department of public health, on July 1.

“This new collaboration will allow us to develop, implement and evaluate cutting-edge public health interventions that will help improve health outcomes in every ZIP code in Rhode Island,” Alexander-Scott said.

“At a time when Roger Williams University is expanding its public health program, this partnership will bring together committed faculty, active researchers and ambitious, talented students with leading public health professionals at RIDOH and other state agencies to embark on careers building healthier communities throughout the entire state.”

RWU’s public health program has “experienced rapid growth” since partnering with the state Department of Health on programs several years ago, according to the university. The school has offered a public health major for students since 2015.

In addition to student “public health scholars,” who will work with the state health department’s Academic Center, the new partnership will include “research opportunities for students and faculty members, summer programs for high school students interested in public health fields, joint quality-improvement programs, a health-care speakers bureau, and the sharing of data for research and public policy matters.”

Said RWU Provost Andrew Workman: “We are committed to serving our community by helping it to improve the health of Rhode Islanders and to provide our students with the kind of experiential learning opportunities that this kind of partnership will foster.”